Why a campus climate survey?
At the University of Washington, we value learning, working and living environments that are welcoming, supportive and respectful. It’s important that those who learn, work and live at the UW can feel a sense of belonging and well-being.
To guide actions that improve the experience and well-being of our students, staff, faculty and other academic personnel, the UW will conduct a University-wide climate survey on the Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma campuses and at UW medical centers, April 22, 2025, through May 22, 2025. This confidential survey will offer an opportunity for students and employees to share their experiences related to learning, working and living at the UW. Each person’s feedback matters; it will be used to create more respectful and supportive environments, and it will shape our work to prevent and respond to sexual assault and misconduct.
All undergraduate, graduate and professional students and all staff, faculty and other academic personnel will be invited to participate.
This campus climate survey will inform efforts to transform institutional policies and practices. Additionally, the survey will include questions related to discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin as part of the UW’s responsibilities under Title VI. The survey will also ask questions related to sex- and gender-based violence, harassment or discrimination as part of the UW’s responsibilities under Title IX.
Why now?
Recognizing that a campus climate survey would be an important tool to inform efforts to cultivate a welcoming and respectful campus environment, the UW conducted a system-wide campus climate survey in 2019, with the intention of doing a survey every five years. In 2021, the Washington State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5227 requiring that all public institutions of higher education conduct a climate survey at least once every five years. To meet its own intentions and to comply with state law, the UW is conducting a climate survey this spring.
What is the response rate goal across our communities?
The target participation in the survey is all students, faculty and staff on the UW campuses in Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma and at UW Medicine and clinics. Every response matters and is valuable in providing the most beneficial feedback and results. Our goal is a response rate of at least 30% across all populations. Additionally, we aim for at least a 30% response rate for each location (UW campuses in Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma and at UW Medicine).
How can you help?
The UW cannot meet its goal without active participation and support from every program on each campus. This kit includes timelines, templates and suggested outreach tactics for different audiences. You can also find digital and print-on-demand materials on the Materials for campus partners page.
At minimum, we ask partners to please:
- Send emails during the two weeks specified below
- If possible, feature a prominent link from your website to the survey throughout the live dates (April 22-May 22)
- Post flyers and posters in common areas
You know your communities best; please customize these tools to make them work for you! If you have questions, need support or would like to brainstorm communications tactics, please contact David Rey, Michael Steigmeyer or Anastasia Mendoza.
How will your school/college or administrative unit benefit from encouraging participation?
Each living, learning and working environment has its own particular challenges; securing enough respondents will enable results that are specific to your school/college or administrative unit. These can be used to identify issues and guide specific actions.